Quantum theory of multiwave mixing. VIII. Squeezed states

Abstract

We apply our quantum theory of multiwave mixing to the generation of squeezed states of light via three- and four-wave mixing in cavities and in propagation. We compare the cavity predictions to the experimental results of Slusher et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 55, 2409 (1985)], finding reasonably good agreement. The squeezing found there is due to the fact that the number operators are driven by resonance fluorescence, which nearly vanishes for the large detunings chosen, while the combination tone operators are driven by relatively large source terms. We give a physical discussion as to why the spectral quantities outside the cavity are given by those inside multiplied by the cavity linewidth. We have found analytic formulas for the variances for arbitrary propagation distances, detunings, and pump intensities. We derive these formulas both from the density operator and from the Langevin methods. To obtain significant squeezing, the propagation distances must be large compared with the resonant Beer's law length.